The well-being of individuals with learning disabilities in England is found to be undermined upon hospital admission, according to an announcement by a health watchdog. An analysis executed by the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) unearthed pervasive and persistent hazards comprising the care provided to this vulnerable group.
The HSSIB cautioned that hospital staff lack the necessary skills and the requisite assistance to cater to the needs of patients afflicted with learning disabilities. With nearly one million adults across England contending with learning disabilities, this revelation presents a profound concern.
The investigatory probe was instigated on account of an incident involving a 79-year old who succumbed to a heart attack two weeks post his hospital admission. The deceased, who laboured with a mild learning disability and was beset with hearing and speech impediments, was initially hospitalised due to chest and skin infections.
His stay at the hospital was marred by anxiety owing to the struggle of the hospital staff to communicate effectively with him. This stemmed from his hearing impediment and was further compounded by the absence of the only specialist learning disability nurse who was off-duty at the time. Throughout his fortnight stay at the hospital, the patient had consistently declined care and blood tests, relenting only once when a successful blood test revealed kidney failure. Unfortunately, he suffered a fatal heart attack before the results were divulged.
The health watchdog consequently cast blame on the hospital for failing to cater adequately to his needs. In the course of its scrutiny, the HSSIB also evaluated the care accorded to individuals with learning disabilities in disparate locations.
It sounded an alarm about the unreliability of the system in place to share information about these individuals. It also pointed out the inconsistencies in the availability of specialist teams – learning disability liaison services – intended to bolster the general staff. This was despite acknowledging the ongoing rollout of a national training plan for general staff, which was deemed inadequate.
Clare Crowley, a senior investigator at HSSIB expressed that unmet needs can significantly distress and confound patients and their caregivers, leading to subpar health outcomes and in extreme cases, cause harm.
Saffron Cordery of NHS Providers, a representative body for hospitals, pledged their commitment to eradicate the inequalities faced by these patients. Nevertheless, she stressed the need for investments in training programs and a uniform approach to specialist support.
